If it's at the CAC the guys at the Port Washington shoe bank should be able to take a look at it (maybe not RIGHT away, but they're right next to it). Regardless of where a second is located, if I want it, I call Chris at the Port Washington shoe bank and order it through him. I've ordered numerous pairs that were physically at the CAC like this and none of them have been bad. I got a pair of Universities in this week (RIP 333 last, your life was too short) that were at the CAC and the only flaw on them is that they're ever so slightly creased from being tried on.

When you do this, does he have it brought to him so he can look at it before it is sent out? I haven't found a SA that was willing to have it shipped to their store to look at it beforehand whether it be coming from another shoebank or from CAC. My experience ordering directly from CAC has been that they are in bad shape. I'm pretty sure thats where all the returns go so you are seeing some that have been rejected by many people in some cases.

Just tossing this back out there if anyone thinks this will lead to an actual tear through the leather. Again it isn't visible at all because its on the inside and down right at the welt. Thanks for the input!

It's hard to tell based on the pic. I would think not unless it is sliced pretty far into the leather. Might make some sense to take it to a local cobbler to get his advice.

@MattRiv Ok the photos below are probably the best you will be able to see in a photo. It looks to me like the cut is through the finished grain part but not all the way through. You wouldn't see it at all otherwise. I think I'm inclined to keep them at $199...unless others think this could be a major future issue. Also BBs has the football grain looking ones on sale and those also call to me despite not being dainite which is something I want for the rainy jeans days.

I think trying to figure out which shoes I wear for the 5-day week is similar to a college basketball coach trying to figure out how to rotate ten 5-star players. I feel many good ones get left out every week.

Just checked Nordstrom and unfortunately none of the Neumoks will be on sale during their Anniversary Sale. Sad news but I did see that the Cavanaugh will be in sale. Im thinking about getting the walnut color.Edited by Newberry - 7/14/16 at 9:02pm

Just received black Hopkinson from recent seconds sale. They fit well and are quite comfortable. My only concern is that while they made the cap significantly bigger, they don't seem to have extended the toe counter (is that what it's called?). So when I walk I see that there is some creasing well into the cap toe. The leather is quite supple so it doesn't seem too noticeable when not being flexed. But I imagine with some extended wear these just may well develop very noticeable creasing inside the cap.
Thoughts?

Just received black Hopkinson from recent seconds sale. They fit well and are quite comfortable. My only concern is that while they made the cap significantly bigger, they don't seem to have extended the toe counter (is that what it's called?). So when I walk I see that there is some creasing well into the cap toe. The leather is quite supple so it doesn't seem too noticeable when not being flexed. But I imagine with some extended wear these just may well develop very noticeable creasing inside the cap.
Thoughts?

I have them in merlot and while there is a little bit of creasing in the toe box, it's not nearly as noticeable than it would be on the standard calf.

@MattRiv Ok the photos below are probably the best you will be able to see in a photo. It looks to me like the cut is through the finished grain part but not all the way through. You wouldn't see it at all otherwise. I think I'm inclined to keep them at $199...unless others think this could be a major future issue. Also BBs has the football grain looking ones on sale and those also call to me despite not being dainite which is something I want for the rainy jeans days.

I think you're probably fine. Maybe take a toothpick and work some super glue in there to make sure it doesn't creep.